John s



(No Model.)

J. S. BECKER.

FIRE KINDLERL Patented July 1, 1890.

| NVENTDFU WITNESSES.

9%T'BMZ.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN S. BECKER, OF EASTON, NEW YORK.

FIRE-K INDLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,317, dated July 1, 1890.

Application filed sa s, 1890. Serial No. 336,400. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN S. BECKER, a citi zen of the United States, residing at Easton, county of ashington, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Kindlers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to such improvements; and it consists of the novel construction and combination of parts, hereinafter described and subsequently claimed. 7

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in the several figures therein.

Figure l is a top plan view of my improved device. Fig. 2 is an edge view of same. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view in isometrical perspective of the inner core of mineral wool.

The objects of my invention are to cheapen the construction of fire-kindlers and at the same time increase their durability.

Heretofore fire-kindlers have been formed of a metallic shell of two or more parts and a filling of mineral wool or similar non-inflammable absorbent various means being employed to secure the parts of the shell together, and thereby maintain the inolosure for the non-inflammable absorbent. Such forms of construction required the separate construction and assemblage in finishing of a number of parts at a considerable expense of time and labor, and the means employed to hold the parts together constituted an element of weakness when the article was subjected to intense heat in use as a fire-kindler.

My improved device is composed of two parts only-a non -inflammable absorbent core and a metallic case consisting of a single integral casting.

A represents a core of mineral wool or like material.

B represents a metallic case or shell which incloses the core. The case is provided with the apertures C in one or more of its sides. These apertures may be of any desired form or number.

Fig;

Ordinarily in casting a hollow-apertured case or shell a core of sand is inserted within the mold of the size and form desired for the inclosure, the core being supported by projections which project interiorly from the inner sides of the mold to form the required apertures in the shell. The molten metal is then poured into the mold and incloses the core, where it is not in contact with the projections. The core is afterward broken up and removed through the apertures formed bythe proj ections,leaving an empty inclosure.

My method of casting is the well-known method, except that I substitute for the core of sand a core of mineral Wool of any fibrous non-inflammable absorbent, which will approximately retain its form and position within the case after the casting is completed.

I find there is little or no difference in the time and labor required to form cores of sand and cores of mineral wool. The latter cores can be easily and quickly formed by subjecting dampened wool to pressure in molds of the required form.

The case B may be provided with a handle D cast integral therewith.

An aperture D, adapted to receive an ordinary lifter for stove-covers, may be formed in the handle without additional expense when the cast is made.

By this novel method of casting an integral case of metal about a core of mineral wool I am able to produce an improved article of manufacture which comes from the sand-mold complete and ready for use without the labor and expense of assembling several manufactured parts, as heretofore practiced.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A tire-kindler consisting of a single casting in the form of an apertured case and a permanent core of mineral wool or similar material.

In testimon y whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of January, 1890.

JOHN S. BECKER.

Witnesses:

FRANK O. CURTIS, W. H. HOLLISTER, J r. 

